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We
recognize that mushing is an evolving sport, practiced by people
of many cultures and lifestyles. We realize that there are many
ways to care well for sled dogs, and we do not wish to stifle the
creativity or energy of any musher. These guidelines are offered
as a sharing of information, based on over 200 mushers' accumulated
experience, and they represent Mush with P.R.I.D.E.'s first attempt
to share information on desirable practices for good sled dog care.
The
pages have wide margins to allow space for your notes. You may also
wish to keep these pages in a three-ring binder, as we plan to update
the material as necessary. Please share your new ideas and information
with us.
May
your dogs be healthy and happy and your trails smooth and sunny.
Printing
costs for this publication as well as other organizational costs
have been generously supported by :
THE
TIMBERLAND COMPANY®
Acknowledgments
We wish to thank the many experienced mushers who contributed
to these guidelines with their writing, revisions, and suggestions,
large and small-all were important in the process of building a
consensus and producing these guidelines. In alphabetical order,
they include Richard Burrows, DVM; Susan Butcher; Charlie Champaine;
Bill Cotter; Sylvia Feder; Will and Linda Forsberg; Kathy Frost;
Mary Gleason; Laura Hood; Karl Kassel; Carol Kaynor; Jeff King;
Becky Landinghan; Shirley Liss; Lloyd Lowry; Leslie Markham; Mark
May, DVM; Chris McCaleb; Cynthia Molberg; David Monson, Sue Renkert;
Arleigh Reynolds, DVM; Karin Schmidt, DVM; Mary Shields; Bob and
Lisa Stevens; Rick Thoman; Tim White; and many others. Thanks also
to Heidi Barker for artwork, Maxine Carroway for typing early drafts,
Diane Herrmann for editing, and Mushing magazine for the use of
its computer equiqment. Thanks to Ken Krieg of the University of
Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service for serving as board
president during our beginnings. Mush with P.R.I.D.E. would also
like to thank The Timberland Company for funding the printing of
these guidelines, Pro Plan Pet Food for providing seed money for
Mush with P.R.I.D.E. organizational activities, and GCI for sponsoring
a toll-free telephone line.
Endorsements
The Mush with P.R.I.D.E. Sled Dog Care Guidelines have been endorsed
by the following organizations:
- Alaska Dog
Mushers' Association
- Alaska Skijoring
and Pulk Association
- Iditarod
Trail Sled Dog Race
- International
Federation of Sleddog Sports Inc. (IFSS)
- International
Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA)
- International
Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association (ISDVMA)
- John Beargrease
Sled Dog Marathon
- Mushing Magazine
- Nome Kennel
Club
- Team and
Trail
- Yukon Quest
International
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